Johnson Backs Gustafson with Three RBIs
Traverse City, MI – The Traverse City Pit Spitters win game one of the series against the Battle Creek Battle Jacks, 5-1. The Pit Spitters improve to 39-28 on the season and 17-15 in the second half.
After a pitcher’s duel to start the game, the Pit Spitters offense struck first as Andrew Mannelly led off the top of the fourth inning with a single to right field. Parker Brosius and Colin Summerhill then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Camden Traficante drew a walk, bringing in Mannelly to give the Pit Spitters a 1-0 lead. Zach Johnson hit a double to center field, clearing the bases to extend their lead to 4-0. Kyle Ratliff led off the bottom of the fifth inning with an infield single. Nikolas Clark then reached first base after an error was committed by first baseman Zach Johnson, to put runners on second and third. Cole Mason loaded the bases with two outs for the Battle Jacks. Cooper Middleton then hit a single to right field, scoring Ratliff to make it 4-1. Alec Atkinson hit a double to right field in the top of the ninth to lead off the offense for the Pit Spitters. Following a single hit by Johnson, Cooper Mills hit a sacrifice flyout, scoring Atkinson to extend their lead to 5-1. The Pit Spitters held onto the 5-1 lead, to take game one of the series.
The Pit Spitters improve to 39-28 on the season and 17-15 in the second half, while the Battle Jacks drop to 24-42 overall and 14-18 in the second half. The Pit Spitters starting pitcher Aren Gustafson threw seven innings, giving up three hits on one run, while striking out seven. Sawyer Meeuwes threw two innings of scoreless relief, giving up just a walk and striking out three.
The Pit Spitters will stay in Battle Creek for the final game of the season series against the Battle Jacks. First pitch is 6:35PM. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.pitspitters.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Pit Spitters as your favorite team.
###
About the Traverse City Pit Spitters: The Traverse City Pit Spitters have been members of the Northwoods League since their inaugural season in 2019. The Pit Spitters have won two Northwoods League Championships and delivered their unique brand of FUN to hundreds of thousands of fans. The Pit Spitters share Managing Partners and principal ownership with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, based in Comstock Park, Michigan. The team’s home games are played in Traverse City’s favorite multi-purpose outdoor entertainment venue, Turtle Creek Stadium. For more information visit https://northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/ or contact Jacqueline Holm at 231-943-0100 Ext. 214/ email JacquelineH@pitspitters.com.
About the Northwoods League: The Traverse City Pit Spitters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 325 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.pitspitters.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Pit Spitters as your favorite team.
